Nepalese mountain climber Min Bahadur Sherchan first scaled the peak when he was 76 in 2008

Gyanendra Shrestha, an official with the tourism ministry who is at the 5,380 metres (17,600 feet) camp, confirmed to AFP: "He passed away at the base camp today at 5:14pm (local time)."

Sherchan had first scaled the peak in 2008 when he was 76, making him the oldest person to successfully climb it.

But his record was broken in 2013 when 80-year-old Japanese climber Yuichiro Miura reached the summit.

Previously speaking out about his quest to regain his title, the Nepalese mountain climber said: "My aim is not to break anybody's record, this is not a personal competition between individuals.

"I wish to break my own record."

He added that he wanted to prove a point that age was no barrier, saying: "By climbing Everest at this age, I want to boost self-confidence of elderly people, inspire new generations and establish a proud identity for Nepal."

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The cause of death of Sherchan, a grandfather of 17, was not immediately clear.

His death is the second fatality of the spring climbing season on Everest, which is from late April to the end of May, with experienced Swiss adventurer Euli Steck killed last month when he fell from a steep ridge during an acclimatisation climb.